March 2014

Newsletter

MEET THE ELLSWORTHS

Ervin and Alice Ellsworth

Originally from Crane, Missouri, Ervin and Alice Ellsworth began their ministry at COMPACT Family Services in January of 2003. While attending church one Sunday morning in Crane, Missouri, a young lady who was a member of their congregation at the time asked the Ellsworths if they would consider working at Hillcrest.

At the time, the door did not open. However, several years later, Ervin having left his job due to some health issues and reading an article about house parenting, God had transformed his thinking, and the Ellsworths prayerfully considered the offer, and soon after, accepted a house parenting position. READ MORE

GOD IS VICTORY

by Lydia*

God is reassuring me

That He is Victory,

And when I become one with Him,

I forget about them:

The sins that so easily entangled me.

But now God's love captivates me;

To rejoice is the path that I take.

As the light breaks forth over the mountain,

Jesus is the Author of the Horizon.

I know that I can drink from the Fountain of Life;

My God shields me even in strife.

When I become tired and weary,

And my days seem dreary,

I know that I can rest in the Potter's hand.

He is my Strength

As far as the east is from the west.

My sins are forgiven so I could give the Father my very best;

Many battles have I lost,

But Jesus paid the cost

So I could walk in victory,

And forever live in liberty.

One day when I see my Savior face to face,

I will remember the day He redeemed me with His grace!

*The author's name has been changed to protect her identity. Lydia is the pen name selected by a young lady on our campus who is a truly talented writer. She loves to express her love for God through poetry. Lydia is a Junior in high school and wants to be a missionary after she graduates.

SPONSORSHIP

As our Winter Sponsorship Challenge comes to an end at the end of March, we want to remind you that we need people like YOU to support people like Lydia* above. Our ministry is 97% donor based and without our Sponsorship program we would be unable to provide all that is needed for each of our students.

Just last week, Lydia was able to visit Southwestern Assemblies of God University's campus days where she got an opportunity to see a glimpse of what her future could hold. She desires to be a missionary and the excitement in her eyes revealed that she knows it is an attainable goal.

Sponsorships are just one of the many ways to help make these dreams become a reality. By providing the daily needs, such as clothing, food, and school supplies, you are setting the groundwork to launch them into their future. You could have a part.

Visit our sponsorship page

and start your monthly contribution today!

EXISTING TO EXIST

Ervin Ellsworth, featured in this newsletter, wrote an article in the winter of 2006 sharing his heart on how God called he and his wife to Hillcrest Children's Home. With his permission, we are reprinting it here. Maybe God has been dealing with you or someone you know. Maybe Hillcrest could be an answer to prayer for you. Take a look at how God did this for Ervin and Alice.

It was an early August morning as the sun breached the horizon reflecting a brilliant orange tone that seemed to inflame all creation. Birds sang their songs of praise while the faint odor of breakfast bacon lingered in the air. I breathe in a moment longer and try to capture one more glance at the picturesque morning God has created for me to enjoy.

I would be less than honest if I said the mornings have always brought me such joy. The sound of the alarm clock, at one time an unpleasant reminder of the day that would lie ahead, with each rude awakening pronounced; I had grown to abhor it. My job of 22 years had become routine. Every part of my day seemed to be a carbon copy of the one previous. Even my times with the Lord seemed lacking. READ MORE

HILLCREST BIRTHDAYS
We are excited to begin sharing with you a monthly birthday list for our students in Hillcrest Children's Home. If you would like to send a card or note to them to tell them Happy Birthday, we assure you the cards will go to them. One of the most favorite things from our students is to receive mail.

April Birthdays

Trinity, 17

Benjamin, 14

Jordan, 15

Trey, 16

TJ, 12

Send cards, letters or gifts to:

COMPACT Family Services

Attn: (insert name)

2325 Malvern Avenue

Hot Springs, AR 71901

*In order to protect the identity of our students, the names listed above are the pen names that each of them selected as well as the age they will turn. Each one listed represents a specific student on our campus.

HOUSEPARENTS NEEDED

Houseparents are the true heart of this ministry. They provide the day in and day out support that each of our students need. If you want to make a difference in the life of a child, submit an application today. We are looking for houseparent couples who desire to see God use them to nurture fragmented and fatherless children. Visit our employment page and feel free to contact us with questions.

COMPACT Family Services

2325 Malvern Avenue

Hot Springs, AR 71901

(501) 262-1660

COMPACTFamilyServices.org

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